Hockey Union win

Imphal, Aug. 4: Hockey Union veterans put up a fast-paced game to defeat the star-studded Yaiskul Athletic Union by 6-5 goals in the second match of the 2nd state-level Veteran’s Hockey Tournament at Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium today. Both teams boasted of some big names in their ranks and played a closely contested game.

The Yaiskul outfit had former Olympian P. Nilakomal and international Ksh. Thoiba Singh in the team and Hockey Union had its own share of renowned players displaying their skills today. Yaiskul Athletic Union drew first blood in the ninth minute of the game from a penalty stroke when the Hockey Union custodian blocked the ball in bid to save a goal, forcing a penalty decision. Former international Ksh. Thoiba Singh scored Yaiskul’s first goal.

The Hockey Union players then geared up and went into the attack mode.

Ng. Munindro Singh made a solo run to beat the keeper from a close angle shot and scored the second goal for Hockey Union in the 17th minute.

The Yaiskul team seemed a bit lethargic with most of their forwards failing to click and the defence unable to seize the moment. Hockey Union was rewarded when N. Chandikumar Singh scored his team’s third goal. However, Yaiskul struck back in the 23rd minute from a penalty corner as Ksh. Thoiba Singh found his mark to take the score to 2-3 in the first half.

In the second half, N. Chandikumar scored thefourth goal for Hockey Union and Yaiskul picked up some speed, with L. Birendrakumar Singh scoring Yaiskul’s third goal in the 48th minute. Chandikumar Singh scored two more goals to bring his tally to three, giving his team a 6-3 lead. Yaiskul Athletic Club tried to make a comeback in the game, as Kh. Priyokumar and Ksh. Thoiba Singh added two more goals. However, the team finally had to concede defeat by 5-6 goals.